Three days after the birthday celebration, Bai Zihan was set to return to the Heaven Sword Sect—alongside Bai Xueqing and Chu Ziyan.
As the massive flying ship descended onto the Heaven Sword Sect’s floating docks, Bai Zihan stepped out calmly.
But the atmosphere was entirely different from the day he first arrived at the Sect.
Back then, whispers of his so-called mediocrity trailed him like shadows. Many had scoffed at his entry—calling him a Bai Clan failure riding on family prestige.
Now?
Now, people looked at him like a celestial being descending from the heavens.
Eyes followed him with awe and admiration.
Cultivators—disciples and elders alike—paused in their movements, many nudging each other in recognition.
“Bai Zihan! He’s finally back!”
“I heard he reached the Soul Formation Realm already! It is also rumored that he achieved Sword Intent. Unbelievable!”
“Whoever said he was a waste should be fed to spirit beasts!”
“Damn! I missed my chance to befriend him early.”
…
A wave of murmurs and praises spread through the crowd like wildfire.
The female disciples were no exception.
Some openly sighed, hands on their cheeks, eyes sparkling with longing.
“Did you see how he got off the ship? So graceful like a celestial noble!”
“So talented and handsome… he’s literally the dream Dao Companion!”
“I wouldn’t even mind being his concubine!”
Their giggles and whispers grew louder—until Chu Ziyan, walking beside Bai Zihan, turned her head slightly.
Her gaze, sharp and frosty, swept over the group.
Instant silence!
The more sensible ones quickly lowered their heads or scattered in other directions, pretending they hadn’t said anything.
Chu Ziyan didn’t say a word. She didn’t have to.
Chu Ziyan let out a long breath, rubbing her temple in irritation.
(First, people kept saying I was too good for him… now they’re all lining up like love-struck fools.)
(And don’t even get me started on that Fourth Princess…)
Because of the Fourth Princess’s declaration, Chu Ziyan’s family elders had been constantly pestering her—to treat Bai Zihan well and not let him slip away.
Some even suggested it would be best to set a marriage date as soon as possible… and perhaps even have a child.
Just thinking about it made her angry.
It was as if, the moment Bai Zihan’s value skyrocketed, hers no longer mattered.
Bai Zihan, of course, paid it all no mind.
Fame? Praise? Adoration?
None of it ever held meaning for him. Whether people insulted him or worshipped him—he simply walked his path.
Chasing after vanity was never something he was interested in.
He turned slightly toward Bai Xueqing and Chu Ziyan, his expression calm.
“I’ll head to my courtyard first.”
“Mm.” Bai Xueqing nodded.
“Go rest! You’ve had enough noise for a while.”
Chu Ziyan waved him off.
***
Bai Zihan stepped into his courtyard.
The gentle breeze stirred the surrounding bamboo leaves, but the courtyard itself remained still—immaculate, quiet, and peaceful.
The moment his foot touched the polished stone path, a familiar voice called out.
“Young Master!”
Startled, Lin Xuan quickly stood up from where he had been sweeping near the inner gate.
Dressed in simple robes, his sleeves rolled up, the young man looked momentarily flustered, then bowed respectfully.
“Welcome back!”
Bai Zihan paused.
“Lin Xuan?”
Despite being a Core Disciple now, Lin Xuan still addressed him the same way—as if nothing had changed.
Not with forced humility, but with genuine warmth and gratitude.
Bai Zihan hadn’t expected to see him here. The Heaven Sword Sect had clearly taken Lin Xuan under its wing, focusing on nurturing him properly—he was in seclusion most of the time.
But it seemed that his seclusion had finally come to an end.
Bai Zihan swept his gaze across the courtyard.
Not a single leaf out of place. The water basin sparkled, the stone paths had been scrubbed, the herb pots were aligned by type and size, and grass was cut properly.
It was too meticulous to be done just once. Lin Xuan had been doing this regularly.
“You’ve been taking care of this place the whole time?”
Lin Xuan scratched his cheek a little shyly.
“Well, it’s my responsibility as a young master’s servant. I had to keep it properly cleaned for when the young master returns.”
Bai Zihan gave a faint nod, his expression unreadable, but a faint warmth flickered in his eyes.
With his status, it would be easy to give this job to a handyman. But it seems like he was still adamant on doing it himself like when he was a handyman.
His gaze then settled on Lin Xuan again—this time, more sharply.
Golden Core Realm!
A steady, solid foundation. No fluctuations, no instability. He had broken through not long ago, but it was already refined.
And this wasn’t even his true strength—it was his comprehension.
Give him a technique, and he could understand it in hours. Master it in days. Perfect in weeks.
That was his real cheat ability.
His cultivation speed was actually quite subpar compared to his comprehension ability, and yet he had still managed to reach the Golden Core Stage.
Bai Zihan knew that while he himself had reached the Soul Formation Realm—an even greater feat—it was only possible because of the support from his System.
Indeed, Lin Xuan was a protagonist.
“Golden Core Stage already?”
Bai Zihan said calmly.
Lin Xuan looked a little embarrassed.
“Compared to Young Master’s accomplishments, this is nothing.”
Lin Xuan said, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish smile.
“Congratulations, Young Master!”
He straightened slightly, no longer the bashful handyman of before, but now carrying the poised bearing of a confident cultivator.
“To reach the Soul Formation Realm at your age… to grasp Sword Intent… the entire sect’s been talking about you.”
He chuckled softly.
“Young Master has already become a model for many,” Lin Xuan said earnestly. “Elders have been using Young Master as an example to motivate the junior disciples. They said you’re exactly the kind of cultivator everyone should strive to become.”
Bai Zihan gave a soft, short laugh. Not quite mocking, but not overly impressed either.
He knew that those same elders might have been the ones who declined and rejected his admission as a disciple before.
Well, he didn’t dislike them and even hoped their persuasion had worked—then he might have avoided coming to Heaven Sword Sect.
But thinking about it now, it was probably for the best.
Many things had happened since, good and bad but perhaps meeting Lin Xuan was the greatest outcome.
He liked to believe their relationship was good and that Lin Xuan wouldn’t become his enemy.
But that was something only the future could decide—who knew what would happen.
Lin Xuan continued, “Even the Sect Leader mentioned you and complimented you on many occasions.”
Bai Zihan nodded thoughtfully, the weight of Lin Xuan’s words settling quietly in his chest.
“Seems like I’ve stirred quite the ripple,” he said with a faint smile. “But titles and praise won’t make me stronger. Only hard work will.”
Lin Xuan smiled in return, admiration clear in his eyes.
Indeed, his Young Master was someone who would never let others dictate his life or choices.
That, Lin Xuan believed, was exactly why he had been chosen by Young Master.